Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' opens at The Players' Ring this weekend.

Top 12 things to do: Dec. 2-4

A roundup of weekend entertainment on the Seacoast

Holiday season officially gets underway this weekend, with the Portsmouth Illuminated Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting taking place Saturday evening, and many other celebrations occurring around the Seacoast. Here are some of the other highlights.

Art and openings at 3S Artspace

Friday is a big night for 3S Artspace. The Portsmouth venue hosts opening receptions for two new exhibits from 5-8 p.m.: “Walking Out of the Shadows,” featuring hand-cut fiber panels by Sarah Nguyen, and “Transmuting the Prosaic,” featuring vinyl record-based installation work by Roger Clark Miller. Miller, of Mission of Burma, will also play two live sets at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. At the same time, 3S will celebrate the opening of its new artisan retail shop.

‘Miracle on State Street’ at the NHAA

During Portsmouth’s Art ‘Round Town gallery walk on Friday, the New Hampshire Art Association will celebrate the season with a festive holiday show at the Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery. “Miracle on State Street” opens with a reception from 5-8 p.m. and runs through Jan. 1. (Above: “Winter Steam” by Stephen Delaney.) Learn more here.

Button Factory Open Studios

button factory open studio

More than 50 artists and craftsmen will offer paintings, photography, jewelry, sculpture, ceramics, woodworking, fabric art, handmade hats, scarves, purses, clothing, cloth rugs, and more during the annual Button Factory Open Studios in Portsmouth on Friday from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more here.

Concerts at The Word Barn

charlie part word barn

Another packed weekend at The Word Barn in Exeter brings former Barefoot Truth frontman Will Evans to town on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($25). Country-blues icon Charlie Parr follows on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. ($20). Sunday features a string-heavy co-bill show with Green Heron and Mamma’s Marmalade from 7-9 p.m. ($20). Learn more here.

‘Elf The Musical’ at The Music Hall

The Music Hall and The Ogunquit Playhouse are again teaming up to bring “Elf The Musical” to Portsmouth this holiday season. Based on the beloved 2003 comedy film, it runs through Dec. 18; show times are Wednesday through Sunday, with matinees and evening shows on most dates. Tickets are $45-$101. Learn more here.

Concerts at The Stone Church

The Stone Church in Newmarket dives into the season with a special holiday show featuring Dan Blakeslee and the Calabash Club and Marjorie Senet and the Broken Home Boys on Friday from 7-10 p.m. ($12). Saturday begins with legendary band The Figgs performing from 2-5 p.m. ($15), followed by a multi-act metal show featuring local legends Scissorfight with guests KIND, The Peasants, and Proelium starting at 8:30 p.m. ($20). Learn more here.

The Bang Group’s ‘Nut/Cracked’

Experience “The Nutcracker” like you’ve never seen it before when The Bang Group’s “Nut/Cracked” returns to The Dance Hall in Kittery this weekend. This humorous and jazzy adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s classic Christmas musical will be staged on Friday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 2-3 p.m. Tickets are $25-$30. Learn more here.

‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Ring

christmas carol players ring

Director Michael J. Tobin’s adaptation of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” features unique costumes, period set pieces, and special effects. It’s at The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth through Dec. 22. Show times are Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $17-$30. Learn more here.

Kathe Farris at McCue’s Comedy Club

kathe farris mccues comedy

Stand-up comedian Kathe Farris has been a comic-in-residence at The Comedy Studio, a finalist at the Boston Comedy Festival, and a mainstay of New England stages. She’ll perform at McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth with openers Mike Gray and Josh Day and host Liam Hales on Friday from 8-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.

The Dance Annex ‘Nutcracker’

Time is running out to get tickets to The Dance Annex’s spectacular production of “The Nutcracker” at STAR Theatre in the Kittery Community Center, featuring some of the Seacoast’s finest dancers. Three shows remain on Saturday at 1 and 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets are $25-$30 — and they are going fast! Learn more here.

Hard rock on the Button Factory Stage

Portsmouth Community Radio is hosting back-to-back rock shows on the Button Factory Stage. New York-based emo band Scotchka headlines on Saturday with Love Canal and The House Flies from 7-11 p.m. ($10). Sunday’s local lineup features Grub Lord, Tysk Tysk Tysk, Pink Blazer, and Palana vs. The Man from 7-10 p.m. ($10). Learn more here.

Swingin’ at The Press Room

Two local acts with all-star lineups are swinging into Portsmouth for a gig at The Press Room this weekend. Swing bands Claudia and Some Familiar Faces and Johanna and The Bussin’ Boys will aim to get guests “jumpin’, jivin’, and wailin'” on the dance floor during a concert on Sunday from 6-8 p.m. Tickets are $15. Learn more here.

See the full calendar for more local events.